The more we are engaged in the world now, the better we can address and prevent these challenges before they reach our door.

Thank you. Thank you, all. I look forward to our ongoing partnership in this.

Thank you for your persistent engagement on critical issues that matter to all of us.

In discussing this with Senator Graham, and with others on this Committee...

We must increase our investments in our diplomatic and development tools if we want to strengthen our national security.

Because focusing on human development also means bringing those on board as well.

We have made real progress together to advance our national security priorities over the last 2 years.

The law that Senator Flake and I worked on in 2016, the End Wildlife Trafficking Act, authorized the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking.

Thank you, Administrator Power.

I think it is essential that, in the long run, conservation, the protection of biodiversity, wildlife, be seen as a central part of competent development strategies, by nations all over the world, if that ultimately, not in competition…

I am encouraged by the fiscal year 2024 budget request for your Agency, and the rest of the State and Foreign Operations budget, as the challenges of our time demand bold investments.

I think countering corruption is an absolutely critical part of what you are doing.

If we are going to stay competitive we have to continue making smart investments that make our allies and our partnerships stronger.

We are hopeful that the agreement will proceed, as it is meant to, there really should be an infinite extension that should not be time bound.

we have to continue the work of leading a global coalition that holds Russia accountable for its cruel and unjust invasion of Ukraine.

I couldn't agree more that that is one of the core arguments for robustly resourcing the State Department and the USAID, is to make sure we are meeting this moment.

Thank you, Senator Schatz.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary, for that brief, but a broad review of the challenges we face, and the leadership that you have shown at the helm of the State Department.

We are in the middle of a global food crisis, according to the World Food Programme: pre-pandemic, there were 135 million people in more than 50 countries who were facing hunger. That has gone up to 345 million people across more than 80…

If we fail to invest in the State Department and the powerful diplomatic tools we have, if we don't keep our embassies well-staffed... our adversaries and competitors will step up and fill that leadership void.

A global challenge, like the climate crisis, cannot be solved through unilateral action, it can only be solved through global cooperation, and that requires leadership.

We cannot be a player on the world stage and keep our country safe and prosperous if we put ourselves on the sidelines.

I couldn't agree more that that is one of the core arguments for robustly resourcing the State Department and the USAID.

I am eager to work with you, if I possibly can, to support finding a path forward as we anticipate the end of Title 42, in the middle of May.

I believe there is much more good news about our partnership, and its potential, in terms of border crossings and security.